What comes first to your mind when you hear ‘vanilla perfume’? A beautiful, pleasant, and feminine scent? This sweet and comforting ingredient is often used in sophisticated male scents. Though vanilla is not always considered the most regular in masculine scent, the best vanilla fragrances for men can transform the masculine notes of tobacco, rum, leather, and woods to another level. It is also called a love portion that guarantees to drive your loved ones crazy. So, don’t hesitate while you choose vanilla perfumes for him as a holiday gift.

They're exciting, they're memorable, and they have an interesting history too. It's been just over a century since the scent first found its way into a mass-produced perfume. In 1921, historic perfumer Guerlain added it to its Jicky fragrance (first created in 1889, its widely considered to be the label's most iconic scent) and its ubiquity only grew from that point on. The very first perfume for men, Parfums Caron's 1934 creation Pour Un Homme, featured vanilla and lavender – a far cry from the 'masculine' woody colognes that men usually opted for.

Long story short: every man needs a vanilla fragrance in their arsenal. Eager to see what a little spritz of vanilla can do for you? For your convenience, we’ve collated our top picks below, from the likes of Byredo, Maison Margiela, Tom Ford and more.

Vanille Antique – Byredo

Vanille Antique – a member of Byredo’s Night Veils perfume extract range – is a warm unisex musk that combines vanilla with notes of cashmere woods, plum, amber and freesia for wear at heady, boujee, preferably beachside establishments.

Musc Ravageur – Frederic Malle

Frederic Malle gives vanilla a sex drive in Musc Ravageur. The 22-year-old scent melds the orchid spice with notes of amber, bergamot, tangerine and cinnamon to produce a source of olfactory delight.

By the Fireplace – Maison Margiela

Vanilla fragrances are said to trigger fond childhood memories, and this one in particular — a comforting scent from Maison Margiela’s Replica line — is redolent of cold days spent inside a cosy abode.

Homme Intense – Dior

Dior Homme Intense is sophistication, bottled. A rich, sensual scent comprising vanilla, amber, iris, cacao and more that tells a story of a gallant in his prime.

Vanilj – Maya Njie

Maya Njie utilised its vintage sensibility when concocting Vanilj — a soft, sensitive yet audacious aroma that’s positively powdery.

Pi – Givenchy

Since its 1998 inception, Alberto Morillas’ Givenchy Pi has been the signature scent of the self-assured. Now it’s your turn to champion the high-fructose battenberg-esque fragrance.

Oxford – Ruth Mastenbroek

Ruth Mastenbroek’s very own vanilla scent – a fizzy, mysterious herb-led smell – offers a feeling of support and reassurance one may covet when venturing into the great outdoors.

Tom Ford – Tobacco Vanille

If you’re going to treat yourself to a new vanilla scent, it’s hard to beat a Tom Ford eau de parfum. The most classic choice being Tobacco Vanille –the ultimate hedonistic indulgence.

Vanille Galante – Hermes

Although Vanilla Galante is founded on a requisite gentility that comes with this being a Hermes fragrance, there’s a welcomed naivety about the sweet floral scent that makes it so popular.

402 – Bon Parfumeur

Some say a dessert-sweet scent is just the ticket to kickstarting a positive morn. Test it out for yourself with 402, Bon Parfumeur’s couthy daytime fragrance packed with toffee notes.

Orchidée Vanille – Van Cleef & Arpels

Vanilla fragrances are genderless, none more so than Orchidée Vanille from Van Cleef and Arpels’ Collection Extraordinaire. Masculine notes of dark chocolate and almond harmonise with feminine floral notes resulting in a multi-faceted fragrance for all.